The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-01-26
METHODIST MINISTERS.
Portland District Ministerial Assocl'
alton.

The meetings yesterday morning opened
at 10 o'clock, with Presiding Elder Jones in
the chair, and Rev. w. +. Morse secretary.
1t was voted to pass over the reports from
the churches.
The question was discussed whether to
further sustain or abandon the campmeet-
ings at Fryeburg. 1t was voted to sustain
them.
1t was voted also to sustain the camp
meetings at Old Orchard.
Two petitions were introduced for sigma
lures, one being petition to the legislature
to submit to the people constitutional
amendment giving to women the right of
suffrage subject only to the restrictions that
apply to men; and the other petition to the
legislature to provide additional penalties
and for better enforcement Of the liquor
laws.
Bishop Walden arrived and was introdue-
ed by the presiding officer.
An essay upon the subject. "Class Meet
ings," their relation to the growth of spirit
ual life and of the church." was read by
Rev. A. W. Waterhouse Of West Nswfeld.
An essay upon the second topic, "Class
meetings; how best conducted" was read
by Rev. G. w. Barber Of Baldwin. The
same subject was continued by Rev. A.
Hamilton of Cornish. Discussion upon the
subjects was opened by Rev. Mr.. Luce Of
South Berwick.
Bishop Walden was invited to address the
meeting upon the subjects treated by the
essayists. He spoke for about half an hour,
his words receiving close attention. He said
he had high appreciation Of the class meet
ings and early acquired babit OF attending
them. The class meeting Is sometimes said
to be test Of the spirituality OF the church,
but this the speaker was not inclined to ae-
cept as strictly true.
In answer to the Bishops question "what
proportion Of your church members are In
the habit Of attending classes? ?" Presiding
Elder Jones said 25 per cent. Il believe,
continued the Bishop, '.that we may safely
say that 90 out Of 100 of the men and women
who attend classes are spiritually minded.
The class shows that those who attend are
spiritually minded, but 1t does not necessa-
rily measure the spirituality of the church.
Il would not have the class leader set
aside, would not have the class meeting
superseded. There Is a strong conviction all
over our church to the effect that we cannot
spare the class meeting. The way TO under
mine meeting Is to turn the last part OF
prayer meeting into a speaking meeting.
The distinctive characteristic Of the class
meeting Is testimony. 1t is important that
our prayer service should be as effective as
prayer service can be made. In the West
there is growing conviction that the church
needs class meeting as much as ever"
Speaking of the essentials that ought to
characterize class leader as had been la id
down by the essayists the bishop said:
'These model, ideal class leaders are hard
to find. We cannot run church upon ideal
line. We must use what material we find
ready at our hands. There are two classes.
The discipline Of our church provides for
both.
The rules Of discipline provide that all
baptized children 10 years OF age shall be or
ganized into classes. Every baptized child
Is a probationary member OF the church.
Presiding Elder Jones said, "The trouble
Is to find baptized children"
The Bishop asked, Then where are flour
Methodist preachers?"
Some one in the audience said, 1--WE can't
baptize children If their parents won't have
them baptized"
Then" continued the Bishop. 1--WE can
preach the doctrines Of our church and what
we hold to be the truth upon this matter.
There is room for missionary work In this
direction, or as Sam Jones says, We can
catch something up this branch.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Rev. John Cobb conducted the devotional
exercises.
The third topic Of the programme was
taken up, and Revs. G. Munger and ;. +.
Metherbee read essays ON Bishop VIM.
Taylor's Methods of Missionary Work"
A spirited discussion followed the reading
Of the essays, participated In by nearly every
member OF the Association, All expressed
the liyeliest sympathy with the work, and
nearly all expressed approval of the methods
Of the Bishop in Africa.
Bishop Walden spoke of his warm personal
friendship for the heroic man whose methods
were under discussion, and his high appre.
citation Of the work he has undertaken and
Is so diligently prosecuting. While the
methods pursued constitute proper subject
| for discussion, and are calculated to excite
| various opinions in the minds Of those who
| give thought to them, none can fail TO e0m-
mend the spirit or to be Impressed with the
| grandeur Of the faith and devotion Of this
noble man and his associates.
He explained the relation of Bishop Tay-
lor's work to that of the Missionary Society,
and gave expression to the hope he cherlShes
that it viii prove one Of those providential
movements that result In the awakening Of
the church, stimulating its faith and inspir-
ing confidence in its ability to achieve great
things for God In this world.
Rev. ID. b. Randall offered the following:
Resolved, That the action Of the faculty (or
| part of them1 OF the Chattanooga University, an
| institution OF learning founded, in whole or in
| part, by the Freedmens AID Society OF the NJ. Il
| church, In refusing the admission OF two young
men TO that institution solely because Of the col
| or Of their skim Is Inconsistent with the prlnei-
Piles upon which that society Is founded, and un-
| less oyerruled by the authorities Of the church,
| will prove injurious TO the prosperity Of the
| Freedmen's Aid Society.
The consideration Of the above resolution
was made the order of the day Wednesday
| morning, at 10 O'Clock.
EVENING.
A large congregation assembled at 7
| o'clock. A service Of prayer was led By
| Rev III. b. Mitchell. At 7.30, Rev. Theodore
| Gerrish preached very interesting sermon
| from Rev. xix. s, which produced a profound
| impression upon his hearers. An after SER
| vice was conducted by Rev. G. Munger.